Commode flushing mechanism

ABSTRACT

A HIGHLY COMPACT, LOW COST, PRESSURE FLUSHING MECHANISM FOR COMMODES SUITABLE FOR INITIAL INSTALLATIONS OR REPLACEMENT KITS WITHIN EXISTING FLUSH TANKS OF THE GRAVITY TYPE. THE MECHANISM OR PLURAL MECHANISMS MAY ALSO BE ENCLOSED WITHIN A WALL BY VIRTUE OF ITS COMPACTNESS. THE MAXIMUM EFFECT OF CITY WATER MAIN PRESSURE IS UTILIZED   FOR FLUSHING WITHOUT THE NEED FOR OVERSIZED PIPING OR EXPENSIVE FLUSH VALVES.

May 25, 1971 w. K. OWENS COMMODE FLUSHING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9. 1968 INVENTOR WALTER K.0WENS ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,579,648 coMMoDE FLUSHING MECHANISM Walter K. Owens, P.0. Box 5641, Pensacola, Fla. 32505 Filed Sept. 9, 1968, Ser. No. 758,366 Int. Cl. E03d l/34 US. Cl. 452 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A highly compact, low cost, pressure flushing mechanism for commodes suitable for initial installations or replacement kits within existing flush tanks of the gravity type. The mechanism or plural mechanisms may also be enclosed within a wall by virtue of its compactness. The maximum effect of city water main pressure is utilized for flushing without the need for oversized piping or expensive fiush valves.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application contains some common subject matter with prior copending application Ser. No. 729,320, filed May 15, 1968, for Flushing Mechanism for Commodes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a definite need for an inexpensive compact pressure flushing mechanism for commodes and the like which does not require excessively large and expensive piping or expensive flush valves of the types commonly employed in hotels, ofiice buildings and the like. The ordinary gravity flushing system usually found in homes is inadequate, fragile and frequent stopping-up of the commode trap occurs with inconvenience and expense to the homeowner.

The aim and achievement of this invention is to provide a practical and simplified pressure flushing mechanism having substantially the features and advantages of the more expensive systems without the excessive cost thereof and constituting a great improvement over the common gravity system. The mechanism is suitable as a replacement unit inside of existing flush tanks or as an original unit concealed within the wall or exposed as practical requirements dictate.

Numerous other objectives and advantages will appear readily to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a commode flushing mechanism embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged central vertical cross section through a diaphragm chamber and associated elements.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section on an enlarged scale through the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 with the main flushing ball seated.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the relationship of parts at the beginning of the flushing cycle with the main ball unseated.

FIG. 5 is a similar view at the end of the flushing cycle with the main hall beginning to reseat itself.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 66 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a similar section taken on line 77 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals designate like parts, the numeral 10 designates a sealed or closed flush tank of moderate size, as a two and one-half gallon tank. The capacity of the tank may vary depending upon requirements and depending upon available water main pressure which is usually around 60 psi. The tank is preferably, although not necessarily, formed of molded plastic and is of a shape and size to fit easily inside of the ordinary household toilet flush tank which is considerably larger and requires more water due to depending on gravity for flushing operation. In this connection it may be mentioned that the invention per flush saves considerable water over conventional household tanks and over heavy-duty flushing systems found in hotels, office buildings and the like.

The tank 10 is equipped in its bottom wall 11 with a water inlet pipe and fitting 12 near one side of the tank. The outlet or flushing pipe 13 leading to the commode connects with a tubular fitting 14 arranged centrally on the bottom wall 11 and preferably formed integral therewith and including at its upper end a beveled main flush ball seat 15, as shown.

A main flush ball 16 adapted to engage the seat 15 is secured to a vertical open-ended tube or shaft 17 by means of a cross pin 18 permitting replacement of the main ball when necessary. The lower end portion of the tube 17 projects centrally through the outlet fitting 14 and carries a key element 19, FIG. 7, engaging slidably within a mating keyway 20 of a ring 21 fixedly mounted in a groove within the bore of the fitting 14 and having large openings 22 for the free passage of flushing water through the ring. The ring 21 prevents rotation of the tube 17 for an important reason, to be described, and improves the alignment of the ball 16 for proper seating. The ring does not prevent free vertical reciprocation of the tube 17 and associated parts.

Above the main ball 16 near the longitudinal center of the tube 17 is a branch tubular elbow 23 having a downwardly facing seat 24 for a float ball valve element 25 held in captive relation to the elbow by a flexible element 26 having sufiicient slack to allow unseating of the valve element 25, FIG. 5, when the water level drops during flushing.

The top wall 27 of tank 10 has a central depending tubular internally threaded sleeve 28 integral therewith and aligned axially with the fitting 14. This threaded sleeve receives an externally threaded cap 29 having an internal chamber 30 and being closed at its top by a wall 31 having a flange 32 which abuts the tank top wall and is sealed by an O-ring 33 or the like. The chamber 30 is vented at its top by a downwardly seating ball check valve unit 34.

The cap 29 has an upstanding tubular extension 35 thereon preferably equipped with an internal guide bushing 36 for the reciprocatory tube or shaft 17 whose upper end portion projects therethrough. An L-bracket 37 on the cap 29 supports a release pin 38 Which is loaded by a spring 39 to an active locking position with the tube 17, the tapered end of the release pin engaging slidably through registering openings in the extension 35 and bushing 36 and the tube 17 near the upper end of the latter as at 40. The key 19 prevents turning of the tube 17 and thus maintains the proper alignment of the opening 40 with the release pin 38. This pin is retracted manually against the spring 39 to release the tube 17 for upward movement, FIG. 4, to commence the flushing of the commode, as will be further described. The pin will return automatically to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 where the main ball valve 16 is seated. Various other release mechanisms may be employed in lieu of the pin 38 for the same purpose.

Within the chamber 30 of cap 29, the tube 17 has a threaded section 41 equipped with clamp nuts 42 for an elastic diaphragm 43 which surrounds the tube and divides the chamber 30 horizontally, The periphery of this diaphragm is clamped at 44 in a fluid tight manner be- 

